Men's Basketball

Corsairs to Host Hampton Inn Classic This Weekend

Nov. 19, 2009

by Jim Mullins

(Dartmouth, MA) - UMass Dartmouth's Tripp Athletic Center will be a busy place this weekend as the Corsairs host a pair of basketball tournaments, both sponsored by the Hampton Inn and Lafrance Hospitality.

"It's always a pleasure to work with the Athletic Department at UMass Dartmouth, especially with this being the second year of the Hampton Inn Women's Basketball Classic. We were very pleased to expand our sponsorship to include the women's basketball teams last year along with our 11 years of hosting the men's tournament. We love hosting the teams and wish everyone the best of luck," said Charlene J. Jarest, Director of Corporate Services. "This is an event that all of us look forward to, each year."

The Corsair men's and women's basketball teams will play the role of hosts at their respective Hampton Inn Basketball Classics on the UMass Dartmouth campus Nov. 20-22. For the men's team the Hampton Inn Men's Basketball Classic is in its 11th season while 2009 will mark the second season for the Women's Basketball Classic.

"We are very grateful to the Hampton Inn and Lafrance Hospitality for expanding their sponsorship of college basketball last season to include our women's team. The Hampton Inn Classic is already recognized as an outstanding early-season college basketball tournament on the men's side and now our women's team gets to host a similar event against a quality field," said UMass Dartmouth Athletic Director Ian Day. "The Hampton Inn's support for both of these tournaments allows us to bring six quality Division III basketball teams from throughout New England to our campus for a great pair of tournaments."

The nationally-ranked Corsair men's basketball team will kick-off the weekend tournaments on Friday, Nov. 20 with a pair of first round games. Springfield and Wheelock will play the opening game at 5:30 p.m. and the Corsairs will take on the University of New England in the second game at 7:30 p.m. The winners of Friday's games will play for the Hampton Inn Men's Basketball Classic championship on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The consolation game will be played at 1:00 p.m.

Coach Brian Baptiste's 2009-10 Corsairs will try to extend their streak of Hampton Inn titles to four in a row after knocking off Coast Guard, 66-44, in the 2008 championship game. The Corsairs have claimed the Hampton Inn title in seven of the tournament's ten years.

After the men's crown is determined in the afternoon, the women's basketball teams will take the floor with their first round games on Saturday night, Nov. 21. Connecticut College and Mount Ida will play the opening game at 6 p.m. followed by the host Corsairs taking Green Mountain College in the second game at 8:00 p.m. The winners of Saturday's games will play for the Hampton Inn Women's Basketball Classic championship on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The consolation game will be played at 1:00 p.m.

Coach Amanda Van Voorhis' 2009-10 Corsairs will try to extend their streak of Hampton Inn Women's Basketball titles to two in a row after knocking off Framingham State College, 58-41, in the inaugural event's championship game last season.

Following both tournaments, a Hampton Inn Basketball Classic All-Tournament Team will be named along with the tournament Most Valuable Player Award. Championship and runner-up trophies will also be presented.

Tickets for all tournament games will be on sale at the door. Adults are \$5 and senior citizens and students are \$3. Parking is available in lot \#7 on the UMass Dartmouth campus.

Complete coverage of all eight Hampton Inn Basketball Classic games is available on the UMass Dartmouth Athletic Department website at:
http://www.corsairathletics.com/multimedia/masd-multimedia.html